{
  "id": 11230365,
  "title": "Colorado’s 2027 Teacher of the Year is Strasburg science teacher Merci Ames",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/colorados-2027-teacher-of-the-year-is-strasburg-science-teacher-merci",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-01T16:01:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Chalkbeat",
    "slug": "chalkbeat",
    "url": "https://www.chalkbeat.org/colorado/2026/10/01/merci-ames-strasburg-science-teacher-is-colorado-2027-teacher-of-the-year/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "Colorado has named Merci Ames, a science teacher at Strasburg High School, as the state's 2027 Teacher of the Year. Ames, who has been teaching for 35 years, is also known for coaching basketball teams and leading the HOSA-Future Health Professionals student organization in Strasburg School District 31J. The Colorado Department of Education praised Ames for her warmth, dedication, and commitment to her students, stating that she stands out through her consistent efforts to bring positive change in the classroom and school community. As the 2027 Teacher of the Year, Ames will receive a $5,000 gift from the Boettcher Foundation, continuing education credit from Adams State University, and the opportunity to award a scholarship to a student of her choosing. She will also represent Colorado in the National Teacher of the Year competition.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}